At this time of year we receive lots of emails, phone calls and other forms of correspondence from dinosaur model collectors who are eager to find out what Schleich will be introducing into their “Dinosaurier” ranges in 2016. Here is a guide to what the Germany-based manufacturer have planned for the first part of 2016, we have tried to make it as unambiguous as possible, a definitive guide. However, before we jump in, just a couple of points to make. Firstly, some of Schleich plans for new model introductions next year are still embargoed, as much as we would like to, we can’t talk about them. We respect the position of manufacturers and we understand their position. Schleich intend to roll out further models over the course of the next twelve months. Secondly, in this article we will be putting forward our views, this is not an official Schleich press release, we will try our very best to report matters accurately, however, please forgive us if we get the odd thing wrong. After all, plans do change and not everything for 2016 has been finalised by Schleich yet. This is about as definitive as we can get, for the moment anyway.

Trends

Many collectors and dinosaur model fans will know that Schleich have over the last few years moved into the concept of providing complementary play worlds and accessories. Fans of the Schleich brand can expect this trend to continue with the likes of the “Dinosaur Set with Cave” being prominent. At Everything Dinosaur we expect this trend for play worlds to continue and we predict that modular items will be added to the range. These modular items will allow play sets to be extended with new areas of landscape and features.

Ten years ago, virtually every model that Schleich sold in its main ranges was available as a single piece. Models could be purchased individually. That is no longer the case as the company introduces more play sets and boxed groups of replicas across its major product lines. This in part reflects increased investment by Schleich in point of sale and point of purchase.

Expect more colour variants within ranges and re-paints. This is a cost effective method for manufacturers to increase their product offerings.

Schleich Mini Dinosaurs

For the moment we will focus on the Schleich Mini Dinosaurs range, more posts will follow detailing other additions to the Schleich range for 2016, we will also announce some retirements. Let’s look at the “Minis”.

Some of the New Schleich Mini “Dinosaurs” for 2016

Four of the new Mini Dinosaurs for 2016.

Picture Credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

Introduced in 2015, the current Schleich Mini Dinosaurs range consists of eight figures, this will expand to sixteen next year with the introduction around late January of a Kentrosaurus, Suchomimus, a new blue coloured variant on the Triceratops and a reddish coloured variant on the Velociraptor figure. The picture above shows the new Triceratops and Velociraptor colour variants plus the Suchomimus and the Kentrosaurus figures. In addition, there will be a new colour variant of the mini Spinosaurus, a new Quetzalcoatlus variant and two new models, a Mosasaur and an Ichthyosaur (described by Schleich as Ichthyosauria in their catalogue notes). How these figures are to be sold has yet to be finalised, but all of the new figures will be available as part of a set of four mini dinosaur jigsaw puzzles (24 pieces in each jigsaw).

New figures in this set, a Quetzalcoatlus colour variant, a green Spinosaurus and an Ichthyosaur plus a Mosasaur.

Picture Credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

New for 2016 Schleich “Marshland” Mini Dinosaurs Puzzle

New figures in this set – Suchomimus, Kentrosaurus, red variant Velociraptor and the blue Triceratops figure.

Picture Credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

All four twenty-four piece jigsaw sets should be available around late January from Everything Dinosaur, possibly a little sooner. Everything Dinosaur can exclusively reveal that these four sets actually fit together to make a large play area measuring 36 cm x 50 cm.

The Four Jigsaws Have Been Designed to Fit Together as One Large Play Puzzle

The four individual puzzles join together to make one large 96 piece jigsaw.

Picture Credit: Schleich/Everything Dinosaur

As we mentioned earlier, how these items are to be sold has yet to be finalised. There are two areas that have yet to be worked out as we, at Everything Dinosaur currently understand. Firstly, any plans to sell all four puzzles together with the sixteen models have not been made clear. In addition, there are plans to sell a counter top display consisting of a total of 32 figures (4 x 8 models) in the counter display. Which models these will be remains open, but initial plans for the assorted counter top display include:

2015 T. rex

2015 Spinosaurus

2015 Stegosaurus

2015 Green Velociraptor

These were the top selling models of 2015 from the Mini Dinosaurs range. These models are likely to be joined by:

2016 Kentrosaurus

2016 Suchomimus

2016 Blue Triceratops variant

2016 Red Velociraptor variant

There will be four models of each of these in the 32 piece counter display. The other four new models, the Quetzalcoatlus variant, the Mosasaur, the Ichthyosaur and the colour variant green Spinosaurus may only be available via the “Waterhole” jigsaw puzzle set.

In other articles we will provide more information about Schleich’s prehistoric animal plans for the first part of 2016, we will also cover the retirements.